Reshaping Close Support

By Captain

By Capt

 Daniel

 Cochran

, US

 N

Joint Air Power Competence Centre (2017-2021)

By Lieutenant Colonel

By Lt Col

 Andre

 Haider

, GE

 A

Joint Air Power Competence Centre

Published:
 June 2020

Prelude

A Future Vision of Close Joint Support

Troops are in contact across a broad, disjointed front. Joint Fires Controllers (JFCs) and their assigned teams of Joint Fires Observers (JFOs) are in high demand and are faced with a daunting environment. They operate under overlapping layers of modern enemy air defences, with contested communications and against an enemy that is adept at movement and concealment. Thankfully, JFCs and JFOs have trained ‘cross-domain’ for years, effectively utilizing linked simulators and large Close Joint Support exercises to train throughout the spectrum of these environments. They are equipped with the latest digital radio equipment, including gateways for multiple message formats, and mobile communication terminals. They are also prepared for ‘old school’ voice-only communications with minimal digital aids. They are ready.

A mixed flight of a Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) F-35, multi-role F-16s (SEAD and attack), F/A-18Es (SEAD and attack), and embedded EA-18Gs (EW) terrain mask away from the fight. The F-35s climb just enough to ensure digital communications are established with the Joint Fires Support Coordinator (JFSC) of the supported brigade combat team so the aircrew can build situational awareness of the battlefield and report the aircraft status to the Multi-Domain Command and Control System (MDC2S). The F-35s, in turn, relay the battlefield picture to the F-16s, F-18s, and EA-18s through various data protocols.

With hardly a spoken word, the JFC calls for fire through digital means. The MDC2S has data about all connected weapon systems across all domains and processes the request in real-time. While considering time-on-target and weapon effect radii, the MDC2S presents a computer prioritized list of available attack options together with the respective Collateral Damage Estimate (CDE) to the JFSC. The JFSC confirms the MDC2S proposal of assigning the F-35’s mixed flight to the fire mission. All ‘players’ acknowledge the data and follow the F-35’s lead as he/she ‘quarterbacks’ the attack and coordinates each asset’s roles.

On cue, the team executes a coordinated attack on a motorized, enemy fire team. The aircraft attack under a protective bubble provided by the F-35, EA-18s and UAS. These aircraft jam enemy radars and enemy communications and sweep the skies for enemy aircraft. The F-16s and F-18s use their multi-role capabilities to release network-enabled weapons, which are subsequently guided by the JFC to the target, while simultaneously searching for radar threats to target with their hypersonic ARMs (anti-radiation missiles). The aircraft are in and out of the most lethal threat envelopes in minutes and one of the JFC’s JFOs confirms the enemy fire team has been neutralized.

However, the fight rages across a long and disparate front, and there aren’t enough airborne assets to service every validated fire support request. Consequently, a distant JFC finds itself in heavy contact against mounted enemy with heavy direct fires capabilities and are in danger of being overrun. The digital urgent troops-in-contact message goes out on the MDC2S, requesting to interdict and destroy the advancing enemy. The troops-in-contact message is now prioritized by the MDC2S and the system proposes to assign two MLRS rocket launchers to deliver a short duration scatterable minefield and three artillery platoons to destroy the enemy vehicles once they hit the mine barrier. The JFSC coordinates with the CAOC through a ‘dynamic airspace synchronization’ application and ensures that the artillery is cleared to fire through CAOC controlled airspace. Tactical UASs, all tied into the multi-domain net, position to assist with adjusting fires. Within minutes from first contact, the scatterable minefield stops the advancing enemy and forces him to dismount his infantry. The artillery gun’s target coordinates are updated in real-time by the supporting UAS and the JFOs on the scene, adjusting the fires into the massing infantry, effectively ending the dismounted attack. However, the fight is not over.

An enemy tracked, large calibre weapon system arrives on the scene and begins to fire, with devastating effects. Despite having crew-served weapons, friendly troops are in danger of being torn apart. The JFC updates the TIC request to reflect the presence of a large weapons system and the effect it’s having on friendly troops. Help comes far away, but arrives quite quickly.

One of the Navy’s new ‘Large Surface Combatant’ (LSC) ships, equipped with the newest hypervelocity weapon system, is near-by and automatically populated within the MDC2S. The list of available weapons is sent to the JFSC and from having ample experience training with naval gunfire support, the JFCS quickly selects the projectile. Dynamic, real-time coordination occurs with the CAOC and the Navy’s Maritime Operations Center (MOC) to deconflict airspace and coordinate the close support fires. The JFC provides precision coordinates and the LSC fires on command. The projectile covers the distance in seconds. Though the ordnance is not explosive, the kinetic impact of the hypersonic rounds hitting the enemy weapons system is devastating and destroys it in-place. Having seen their firepower demolished and their troops razed by mortar fire, the enemy withdraws.

Content Navigation
Author
Captain
 Daniel
 Cochran
Joint Air Power Competence Centre (2017-2021)

Captain Daniel D. Cochran graduated in 1998 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering. He was designated a United States Naval Aviator in 2001. He is a distinguished graduate from the Air Force Institute of Technology earning a Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. A graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, he has completed tours as a test pilot and instructor. In the fleet, CAPT Cochran has completed 14 aircraft carrier deployments while assigned to F/A-18E and F/A-18C squadrons. During his most recent tour, he commanded the ‘Royal Maces’ of VFA-27, attached to CVW-5, homeported in Atsugi, Japan. He has accumulated over 3,200 flight hours in 32 aircraft, including 760 carrier-arrested landings. He is currently serving as the Maritime Air Section Head at the Joint Air Power Competence Centre.

Information provided is current as of July 2021
Author
Lieutenant Colonel
 Andre
 Haider
Joint Air Power Competence Centre

Lieutenant Colonel André Haider is an artillery officer by trade with over fifteen years’ experience in command & control and operational planning. He is the JAPCC’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Subject Matter Expert for more than ten years and represents the JAPCC in the NATO Joint Capability Group Unmanned Aircraft Systems and NATO Counter-UAS Working Group. He authored multiple studies, books, and articles with regard to operational and legal issues of UAS and C-UAS.

Information provided is current as of July 2021
Author
Lieutenant Colonel (ret.)
 Panagiotis
 Stathopoulos
Joint Air Power Competence Centre (2017-2020)

Lieutenant Colonel Stathopoulos graduated from the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Academy with a BSc in Aeronautics in 1995. He holds an MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics from Cranfield University, UK, and is a graduate of the HAF Tactical Weapons Fighter School. He is an F-16 instructor and functional check flight pilot, and he is a command pilot with more 2,000 flying hours. He has also served as director of operations and commander of the 341 Fighter Squadron from 2012 till 2016. He has served as the Electronic Warfare (EW) including SEAD Operations SME at the Joint Air Power Competence Centre from 2017 until 2020. He is now working for Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Aircrew Publications in Manching, Germany.

Information provided is current as of February 2022

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